Larry Devich
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Advent 1: Saturday
Read Luke 19:28-40
But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the
stones would immediately cry out." (Luke 19:40)
Even a rock tells you something about God: it tells you that He exists,
because nothing comes from nothing. Scientists say so in the 1st Law of
Thermodynamics. Philosophers speak of a “Prime Mover.” Somebody had to get
the ball rolling for there to be a creation.
Beyond that, though, rocks don't tell you much about God. I suppose that big
rocks will display His artistic handiwork, and really big rocks—like continents
—demonstrate His power. But for all the different rocks out there, none of them
get personal about God. None of them tell you His name or His will for you. For
that, you need the Lord to declare His Word.
As our text describes Palm Sunday, Jesus' countrymen cry out their hosannas
and “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.” When told to
shush His followers, Jesus replies, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the
stones would immediately cry out.” Perhaps He is declaring that there will never
be a time when believers do not sing His praises, that His Church will never
perish (Matthew 16:18). However, commentators suggest that “stones” is a
nickname for Gentiles (as in Luke 3:8), and that Jesus is declaring that He is the
Savior of all.
Either way, rejoice: the Lord does not leave you to guess His intentions from
rocks. People have long tried to find God in nature—Baal and Asherah, gods of
stone and wood, are two examples. When people try to discern God's will
through nature, then paganism or some other false religion always results.
Instead, the Lord reveals Himself specifically through His Word. He declares
His Law and His Gospel. But He gets more personal than that. He could call out
in a thunderous voice from heaven, but instead He becomes the Word made
flesh (John 1:14) and rides a donkey into Jerusalem to teach His people—and to
die for all. Even today, He could retire to His heavenly throne and watch from
afar; but He continues to visit His people by His holy means of Word, Baptism
and Supper. This is your ongoing Advent joy: it is not just that the Lord has
come, and now you are left with stones until He returns in glory. He continues to
be the living bread who comes down from heaven (John 6:51). That is why we
still sing, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”: for in
His Word and Sacraments, the Lord is just as triumphally, fully present with us
as that day He rode into Jerusalem. He comes to “save now” (the meaning of
“hosanna”), so that you might be prepared for the day He returns to judge.
Rejoice! The Lord is with you.
He comes the broken heart to bind, The bleeding soul to cure,
And with the treasures of His grace T’enrich the humble poor.
Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace, Thy welcome shall proclaim
And heaven’s eternal arches ring With Thy beloved name. (TLH 66:4-5) ¶ 12/09/2006 09:10:00 AM 0 Comments
But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the
stones would immediately cry out." (Luke 19:40)
Even a rock tells you something about God: it tells you that He exists,
because nothing comes from nothing. Scientists say so in the 1st Law of
Thermodynamics. Philosophers speak of a “Prime Mover.” Somebody had to get
the ball rolling for there to be a creation.
Beyond that, though, rocks don't tell you much about God. I suppose that big
rocks will display His artistic handiwork, and really big rocks—like continents
—demonstrate His power. But for all the different rocks out there, none of them
get personal about God. None of them tell you His name or His will for you. For
that, you need the Lord to declare His Word.
As our text describes Palm Sunday, Jesus' countrymen cry out their hosannas
and “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.” When told to
shush His followers, Jesus replies, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the
stones would immediately cry out.” Perhaps He is declaring that there will never
be a time when believers do not sing His praises, that His Church will never
perish (Matthew 16:18). However, commentators suggest that “stones” is a
nickname for Gentiles (as in Luke 3:8), and that Jesus is declaring that He is the
Savior of all.
Either way, rejoice: the Lord does not leave you to guess His intentions from
rocks. People have long tried to find God in nature—Baal and Asherah, gods of
stone and wood, are two examples. When people try to discern God's will
through nature, then paganism or some other false religion always results.
Instead, the Lord reveals Himself specifically through His Word. He declares
His Law and His Gospel. But He gets more personal than that. He could call out
in a thunderous voice from heaven, but instead He becomes the Word made
flesh (John 1:14) and rides a donkey into Jerusalem to teach His people—and to
die for all. Even today, He could retire to His heavenly throne and watch from
afar; but He continues to visit His people by His holy means of Word, Baptism
and Supper. This is your ongoing Advent joy: it is not just that the Lord has
come, and now you are left with stones until He returns in glory. He continues to
be the living bread who comes down from heaven (John 6:51). That is why we
still sing, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”: for in
His Word and Sacraments, the Lord is just as triumphally, fully present with us
as that day He rode into Jerusalem. He comes to “save now” (the meaning of
“hosanna”), so that you might be prepared for the day He returns to judge.
Rejoice! The Lord is with you.
He comes the broken heart to bind, The bleeding soul to cure,
And with the treasures of His grace T’enrich the humble poor.
Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace, Thy welcome shall proclaim
And heaven’s eternal arches ring With Thy beloved name. (TLH 66:4-5) ¶ 12/09/2006 09:10:00 AM 0 Comments
